Louis van Gaal has admitted that he was closing in on a move to Tottenham Hotspur before signing a three-year contract with Manchester United.

The Dutchman's final assignment as national coach will be at the World Cup in Brazil.

Speaking to the media ahead of Holland's international friendly against Wales at the Amsterdam Arena on Thursday morning (Singapore time), the 62-year-old said: "I came very close. Very close. As a little boy I was a fan of TottenhamHotspur with the team of Jimmy Greaves when he was the champion

“Greaves was my idol."

Van Gaal takes over from David Moyes who failed to last even one season and was sacked in April.

Ryan Giggs, who was given temporary charge of United until the end of the season, will now be No 2 to van Gaal.